Locals Rescue Tamarack Resort From Snowy Grave; Plan To Open In Mid-December

At A Glance

Where

311 Village Drive Tamarack, Idaho 83615

Homeowners at Idaho's Tamarack Resort have forged ahead with plans to resurrect their ski area. Preparations are underway to re-open the ski hill, which was mothballed in March 2009 when it defaulted on a $250 million loan from a Credit Suisse.

The Tamarack Municipal Association (TMA), a group of local property owners, is running the resort as an interim solution while a new owner can be found. "There are several interested parties," Doug Dvorak, board member for TMA, told OnTheSnow.com. "But we're moving forward and hiring our staff. At meetings with Credit Suisse and landowners, no one has said 'No.'"

TMA plans for 60-70 percent of the hill to be open by early to mid-December and aims to operate four days per week, plus daily during holidays and spring break. Five of seven lifts will run, including one to the summit. Two bars will serve finger foods, pizza, and sandwiches will accommodate visitors. Fine dining will not be available, but Dvorak indicated the cat ski program may resume. "The plan is eventually for full mountain operation when there is an owner," added Dvorak.

Locals are already purchasing season passes, on sale starting at $199. Daily lift tickets will cost $46 for adults and $22 for youth. Ski and stay packages will be available, too

The bankruptcy court and judge could still put the kibosh on re-opening the ski hill, but TMA is pushing ahead anyway. Organizers have set things in motion, and key managers have been put in place. "Some of the senior team is coming back," said Dvorak. "That's good news."